[[Game theory]] becomes an important considering in a crowded primary, such as the Republican nominating process for the [[2016 presidential election]]. A total of 17 candidates (as of August 2015) vie for support, which requires considerations of game theory before criticizing rivals.

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[[Game theory]] becomes an important consideration in a crowded primary, such as the Republican nominating process for the [[2016 presidential election]]. A total of 17 candidates (as of August 2015) vie for support, which requires considerations of game theory before criticizing rivals.

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Only four of the 17 candidates have been initially willing to criticize [[Donald Trump]], lest they lost potential support among supporters of Trump. Those four candidates are [[Rand Paul]], [[Rick Perry]], [[Carly Fiorina]], and [[Lindsey Graham]].<ref>http://www.cbsnews.com/news/donald-trump-trades-barbs-with-carly-fiorina/</ref> The first two perhaps hope to take support away from Donald Trump as a rival; the latter two perhaps hope to gain support from those who dislike Trump.

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As of September 2015, only four of the 17 candidates have been willing to criticize [[Donald Trump]], lest they lose potential support among supporters of Trump. Those four candidates are [[Rand Paul]], [[Rick Perry]], [[Carly Fiorina]], and [[Lindsey Graham]].<ref>http://www.cbsnews.com/news/donald-trump-trades-barbs-with-carly-fiorina/</ref> The first two perhaps hope to take support away from Donald Trump as a rival; the latter two perhaps hope to gain support from those who dislike Trump.

== Who are rivals among the 16 candidates? ==

== Who are rivals among the 16 candidates? ==

Revision as of 14:24, 20 September 2015

Game theory becomes an important consideration in a crowded primary, such as the Republican nominating process for the 2016 presidential election. A total of 17 candidates (as of August 2015) vie for support, which requires considerations of game theory before criticizing rivals.

As of September 2015, only four of the 17 candidates have been willing to criticize Donald Trump, lest they lose potential support among supporters of Trump. Those four candidates are Rand Paul, Rick Perry, Carly Fiorina, and Lindsey Graham.[1] The first two perhaps hope to take support away from Donald Trump as a rival; the latter two perhaps hope to gain support from those who dislike Trump.

Who are rivals among the 16 candidates?

Moderates compete with moderates for moderate voters, while conservatives compete with conservatives for conservative voters. But overly criticizing another candidate within one's sphere of support is risky.

Which Rivals Won't Criticize Each Other, and Why

Ted Cruz won't criticize Donald Trump because Cruz was not born in the United States, and Trump can cause a politician's approval rating to plummet by making this an issue, as Trump demonstrated by making it an issue against Obama.

One theory, advanced at the Powerline blog, is that the candidacy by Donald Trump helps Jeb Bush.[2] But if Trump prevents Jeb Bush from winning in New Hampshire, which seems plausible, then Jeb Bush probably cannot win the nomination. Jeb Bush will fare poorly in Iowa and thus New Hampshire is a must-win state for him, but Trump seems poised to win New Hampshire.

Impact by Trump on Iowa

Iowa Republican primaries are less likely to support Trump, so he may not have much impact in that crucial first State.

NH primary

In the NH primary, mavericks running in one party, such as the Democratic Party, can weaken the support for a maverick running in the other party, such as the Republican Party, because Independent voters are allowed to vote in the primary of either party.